adminNewcastle United’s main backers, PIF, have stayed calm during an at times tough summer on Tyneside after the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali led to questions on ambition.
At the end of last season, PIF made it clear they were fully engaged in the project on Tyneside and vowed to spend every penny received for outgoing deals on new players.
The operation on the ground at St James’ Park has been led by CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson, who have been driving recruitment and sales.
The £163m proceeds for Gordon and Tonali were injected into Eddie Howe’s kitty after it became apparent he would have a low spending pot without selling stars.
With Sean Steur through the door this week and Bazoumana Touré also following, Newcastle have splashed out around £66m in a week, and that could be followed by another fee of around £49m for Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg.
A well-placed source told Chronicle Live:
> “They’re not finished yet. The stance at the moment is to focus on recruitment rather than further sales. They aren’t under pressure to sell anybody else.”
That could be bad news for Bruno Guimaraes if he demands a move to Arsenal, but with that saga rumbling on, Newcastle could now be in a position to hold on to a couple more experienced stars, and sales for Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy may not be necessary.
Howe is also wary of the average age of the squad dipping and will want experienced heads in the dressing room after the loss of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Tonali and Gordon.
In a further show of intent, PIF sanctioned another hire in the boardroom, with a Corporate Affairs Project Manager set to join Hopkinson and Co.
This is a key position that will help drive the club up the table in terms of commercial growth, and the advert read:
> “As our Corporate Affairs Project Manager, you will play a central role in delivering high-profile, strategic initiatives that shape the Club’s reputation, influence, and long-term success.
> “Operating at the intersection of strategy and delivery, you’ll partner with senior stakeholders, coordinate complex projects, and turn ambition into meaningful, measurable outcomes.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and want to make a tangible impact at one of football’s most exciting organisations, we’d love to hear from you.”
Newcastle pitch work on course to be ready for the annual pre-season weekender
Believe it or not, we are just a month away from Newcastle playing again at St James’ Park when Bayer Leverkusen will raise the curtain against Eddie Howe’s side in the Visit Malta Weekender.
However, a quick glance at the pitch at the moment and it looks like a giant sandpit. The workforce are confident that they will get things done and dusted in time for the big kick-off.
Newcastle ploughed £10m into improving the pitch and getting the stadium in good shape as the countdown to Euro 2028 ticks away.
It’s understood that the operation took a little longer than expected after concrete was struck beneath the surface during some drilling work.
Abdulhafiz Teslim
